I voted 4.5. I think it's safe to say that this is my 3rd favourite album of theirs, behind I&W and ToT
1) Is ADTOE as good as you hoped?
Better! Even though my expectations did increase the more time went on and the more we heard from the band about the record, I'm still more impressed with it than I thought I'd be
2) If there were certain changes you wanted Dream Theater to make style-wise, did they make them?
Yes. There seems to be a more balanced feel with the songs. Lyrics, vocals and keys have all vastly improved and Myung sounds much better - plus he got back to the writing. I've never really been put off by MPs backing vocals like other people were, but I prefer the way things are now.
3) Does ADTOE have any songs that you would consider a part of the DT elite?
BAI definitely. BITS and OTBOA probably, depending on your definition of 'the DT elite'
TITL and BTS are also 2 of their best ballads ever.
4) How does ADTOE affect the band's standing, in your opinion? Have they risen to new heights? Have they sunk to new lows? Are you optimistic about their future? Are you pessimistic about their future? Do you think of them differently than you used to because of ADTOE?I was very worried about the future of the band after MP left, not just in creation of the songs, but also because of all the other things he did for the band. But from the time the audition documentary came out and I saw how good a fit Mangini was, I got more and more excited about the new album and also things further down the road. Hearing the guys interviews, seeing them on stage and obviously hearing the new album paints a very rosy picture for the future. I can't wait to see what comes next and how things will work with Mangini having a more prominent role perhaps in the writing of the next album.